Cheers to the men, women in blue

A funny thing happened to me this week, again. I've been taking regular pre-dawn walks in the years since I quit running and get stopped occasionally by local police. Naturally they wonder what I'm up to. This time for a switch, I was faced with two squad cars pulling up beside me simultaneously. Both officers come out of their cars, one an attractive young female probably not long out of the academy, the other a more experienced guy who must have gone about 6'4" 230.

So there the three of us are at 4:30 a.m., standing on a side street in the glare of four headlights, me with my walker, having a polite little chat. And - this was another first - I finally had the opportunity and presence of mind to say something in this situation I've wanted to for quite a while.

Giving them my name and room number at the nearby Life Center, I told them I was a strong supporter of law enforcement personnel, and if the two of them ever needed to sell tickets to a police fundraiser or anything they should get in touch because I'd be good for a couple.

For a second with that, they seemed a little ... I don't know, off balance? Of course they're prepared to get sassed, spit on and flipped off, even bashed in the media of late; certainly they're trained how to respond. But they probably don't hear my kind of sentiments much.

Or the 'stay safe' wishes I sent them off with either. But in any case, I hope they'll remember the incident on those inevitable future days when they wonder whatever possessed them to go into law enforcement

Cheers to all the men and women in blue.

Tom Gregg

Niles,